A horrifying mass abduction has left 289 pupils and staff members missing after armed bandits stormed St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, in the early hours of Friday, November 21. The attack has sent shockwaves through the community and neighboring areas.
Teacher’s Near-Death Ordeal
Mrs. Martha Matthias, a primary school teacher at St Mary’s, recounted how she came close to death along with her husband and infant child during the attack.
“At about 1:00 am, I heard the children crying for help. My husband told me it was probably a bandit attack. When my baby started crying, the bandits threatened to blow her head off. They ransacked our rooms, tied my husband, and carried away valuables. I thank God I survived,” she said.
Bandits reportedly arrived in three cars and multiple motorcycles, abducting students and staff. Some victims were ferried away in a truck to a forest hideout.
Scale of the Abduction
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirmed that among the 265 still missing, 239 are children from the Nursery and Primary sections, while 26 are staff members. The remaining 14 students are in the secondary section.
Of the total, 50 pupils escaped during the abduction. The victims’ current locations remain unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility or made ransom demands.
Breakdown of Missing Pupils:
- Nursery 1: 7
- Nursery 2: 32
- Primary 1: 62
- Primary 2: 45
- Primary 3: 32
- Primary 4: 26
- Primary 5: 19
- Secondary: 16
Security Context and Bandit Activity
Bandits have long exploited the thick forests and mineral-rich areas between New Bussa, Agwara, and Banana, bordering Benin Republic, as hideouts.
Authorities have previously arrested key bandit leaders, but the forests remain a stronghold for kidnappers. Both the Emir of Borgu and Governor Muhammed Umaru Bago have called for urgent interventions, including deforestation and crop cultivation, to prevent bandit operations.
In a controversial move, Governor Bago encouraged residents to defend themselves, stating that paying ransom would fuel further kidnappings.
Challenges in Rescue Efforts
Papiri is a remote enclave with poor road networks, making access for security forces difficult. The area’s population is predominantly Christian and relies on farming and fishing. The local Catholic School, the primary target of the abduction, predates the government primary school in the region.
Historical Context
In 2022, the school narrowly avoided a similar attack after authorities shut it down amid security threats. The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohana, refuted claims that the school ignored government warnings, describing such allegations as “propaganda.”
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